File photoState Sen. Joe Cryan, who appeared at an opioid town hall at Kean University in December, was appointed Union County undersheriff in January and will soon become head of the Middlesex County Utilities Authority.

UNION COUNTY, NJ — State Sen. Joseph Cryan will take the helm at the Middlesex County Utilities Authority and leave his post as undersheriff for Union County.

“I am honored to take on this role and look forward to leveraging my unique experience and skills to move the Middlesex County Utilities Authority further,” Cryan said in a statement. “I have dedicated myself to protecting the citizens of New Jersey in both my professional and political careers, and in this role, I fully intend to continue along that path.”

The authority, which handles Middlesex County’s wastewater treatment facility and landfill, appointed Cryan as its executive director March 22, a MCUA spokesman said.

He will keep his seat as a senator for the state’s 20th Legislative District, representing Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle and Union.

“Joseph Cryan brings with him a wealth of experience overseeing every aspect of a multifaceted agency. During his tenure as administrative undersheriff and sheriff, the Union County Sheriff’s Office received national and statewide accreditations for efficiency and operations,” MCUA Chairman Ted Light said in a statement. “Because of this experience and his many years of outstanding public service as a state legislator, I am confident Mr. Cryan possesses the right skills and knowledge to lead the MCUA into its next chapter.”

Cryan left his post as Union County sheriff, an elected position, last year to run for state Senate. He formerly served as a state assemblyman from 2002 to 2014.

Union County’s newly elected sheriff, Peter Corvelli, appointed Cryan to one of three undersheriff positions. Cryan made about $140,000 in that position, according to public records obtained by LocalSource.

Cryan will make $190,000 at his new role in Middlesex County and receive medical benefits and a pension, an MCUA spokesman said.
He will officially leave his job as undersheriff on April 13, Union County spokesman Sebastian D’Elia said, and begin work at the MCUA on April 16.

Former MCUA Director Richard Fitamant earned about $219,000 annually in the role, public pension records show.
Working as a state legislator is considered a part-time job, and many state lawmakers work second jobs in the public sector and collect two pensions.

State lawmakers were banned from serving in two elected offices at the same time in 2008, although the practice did not apply to those already working in two elected positions. Cryan’s job at the MCUA and his work as undersheriff were appointmentsrather than elected positions.
D’Elia said he was not aware of whether Corvelli had appointed a new Union County undersheriff yet.